Gap mill control



May 26; 1959 J. H. FRIEDMAN GAP MILL CONTROL Filed oct, 4, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN H. FE/ED/VAA/ 719, EDGEO/V /Vl-NE/VN y y@ A TTOENEY BY P/CHE); WN

United States Patent hhce 2,887,915 GAP MILL CONTROL i John H. Friedman, Tiffin, Ohio, assignor toThe National l" Machinery Company, Titiin, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio v Application 'October 4, 1952, Serial No; 313,159L s claims. (ci. so-zs)l n This invention relates to rolling millsand more particularly to control mechanisms However, a machine embodying this v2,887,915 Patented lMay 26, 1959 wherein the blank is not inserted through; the gap in the rolls prior to the rollingoperation. A stock ,tripis .provided across which the blank is moved and is positioned so. that the rolls begintooperate Awhen the endof the blank is properly positioned in the gap of the rolls. By

employing a stock` trip according to this invention it-'is also possible to automatically feed the blanks,in'to the gaps thereby eliminating the necessity of hand operation. invention will operate equally as well with manual feeding. y

`It :is a principal object of this invention'to provide Va l 4gap roll in which the rolls are automatically actuated for gap mills of thevv type constructedto operate in a cyclicl manner, wherein n kbl,

f the periphery of the rolls to provide time Ito allow the operator toinsert the blank. Since the gap was present in a large portion of the roll large rolls were necessary to provide the circumferentialv lengthy necessary to rolllfa given blank. `Since the rolls werev necessarily large in the rolls were large, heavy.

`In recent developments in thev rolling mill `art im- Yprovements have been made which permit the' use of and the frames were necessarily `smaller rolls to roll a given blank. This has beenac-i V'complished byreducing the amount permit the insertion of the blank between the rolls. yIn such mills the rolls are stationary at the gap portion while the blank to be rolled is arranged between the rolls. The rolls are turned one revolution so tha`t theresulting j ment of the gap roll control. n of gapnecessary to rolled article is shaped by the roll dies and therolls are 7 then brought toa stop for the insertion of the next blank. This type of mill has provided?, a gapv rolling mill which can be operated by relatively/:unskilled operators since the'rolls are stationary at the ,time the blank is inserted `between the rolls. copending application Serial No. `168,218 filed June 1,5, 1950, now'Patent No. 2,634,144." g

In` gapmills of the improved variety describedi above the rotation of the rolls has been controlled by the use A mill of 'this.`type is ldisclosed in my 0f` affoot treadlei manipulated by the operator ,of the' mill 4afterftihe blank to be rolled is arranged in rolling position between the rolls. gauge isprzovidedubehind the rolls against which the operatorY positions the blank. When the' blank is inposition againstjuthe blank 'gauge the operator'presseslthe'footV treadle jturning kthe rolls through one revolution.v n

With the increase in use Yof gap rollsdue fto the` above advances there has been an increase in thewsize 'of the mills "and" it has 'required greater skill on thepart of the it is againstthe stock gaugeand in proper position for rolling. The advent of` larger'machines `has also resulted in ,r/ollingflarger blanks which, in turn, require Vlarger rolls. These rlarger rolls, of course, requiregreater opera-tor to manipulate Athe blank to make .sure that torques to roll a blanks'o again itis important to reduce f" the gap size necessary thereby permitting a reduction in `thesize of theirolh v p' The presentinvention is directed `to` a rolling v'n'iill of the .gaprtype wherein theplacing of the blank in' posibodying this invention; i 30 A; this type of machine, the torques. necessary to operate `to each other as at 12 and "14 is arranged on the discharge side of the rolls and ,-a lsimilar rear blank support 16 is carried by the mill on ,the other side of the rolls.

when the blank to be rolledY is in the proper position.

It `is a further object of this invention to provide agap froll wherein the blank need not be. inserted through'the gap before the rolls are actuated thereby reducing `the size of gap necessary. i i d It is a still further object of this invention to provide a gap roll capable of being mechanically fed.

Further objects and advantages will appear frornthe following description and drawings, wherein:

, .Fig` 1 is a perspective "view of a gap'nrollingmill ,eni-

Fig. l2 is a side` elevation-ofthe stock Fig..3 is a view partially lin section of the r.one shot valve;

. Fig'. 4 is a schematic drawing of the gap roll'control circuit; and Y.

y Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of an electrical embodi- In a preferred embodiment of this-.inventionithe rolling mill is provided with a clutch and: brake arranged `between the roll shafts and the flywheel are Ladapt'ed for pneumatic operation. `The brake and clutch arefarranged so that the clutch is engaged and thebralie ris released andwhen the clutch is disengaged the brake is engaged. Astock trip is Vlocated on the rearyblank support. vAs the blank is moved along thereargblank support toward the rolls it engages and ,depressesfthe trip. lThe vcontrol circuit is arranged s o that whenthe blank passes beyond the trip thereby releasingfthey engagement between the blank and the trip ltheclutch` is Aengaged and the brake is released thereby actuatin'gthe rolls. A cam mounted for rotation with the roll shaft disengages the clutch and engages the brakeuafterone revolution of the rolls thereby completing thecycledof operation and preparing the4 machine for theneXtcycle. i Referring to the drawings, the' mill incorporating invention is shown in Fig. `1 aty 9 and preferablyincludes a pair of cooperating gap rolls 10 and 11 which are geared 13. A front blank support `A blank guideA 17 .is mounted on the support 1,6'to guide the blank asl it is moved toward the rolls. The mill 9 includes a clutch and bl'ke arranged so that the continuously rotating y wheel `18 maybe engaged so as to transmit y wheel rotation to the rolls 10'and 11. For purposeszof simplification the brake structure and the clutch structure' havenotfb'een shown but are described in detail in my copendin"g ap plication Serial No. 168,218 filed lune l5, 1.950, now Patent No. 2,634,144.

One embodiment of the control circuit embodyingfthiis invention is,l shown diagrammatically in Fig,f 4; g vcludes a trip valve or sensing control 21; 'aloliie shotor iise'lqnenceivalvei22'a reset cylinder 23, a main control sealsl are in the actuated position the port 59 is isolated "from the port 63 and the port 63 is in communication faceof thev blank lsupport 16 and is arranged to engage the blank 34v as it slides along the blank support 16 toward'the roll 111. 'The spring loaded trip return 36 urges "the trip tlits normal position shown in Fig. 2 and opposesth'e movement of the trip 33 when engaged by the blank 34. When 'the trip Vis in its normal position'the ftripvalyeor sensing control `21 provides communication between the'pressure 'inlet linel 32 and the outlet line 37. j'When the blank 34 engages and depresses the trip 33 tleitripV moves to thejposition shown in the dotted' line iri Fig."'2;permittingthe plunger 38l to move axiallyy in` `the-'trip valve 21 thereby actuating the valve and isolating the inlet line 32 While creating communication between-f the outlet line 37 and the atmospheric exhaust line reference 'may be made to my eopending application Serial`No'. 210,7 3 ,4 filed February 13, 1951, now. Patent ML-2,515,355. f

fThe oneshot or sequence controlv valve 22 embodies v'a b`r` dyv 41h`avir'1gA anaxi'al cylinder wall sleeve 43. A second :"tlian'fthe bor-e142' opening ithe'reinto is also formed in the body.41. A rsecond cylinder iwall'sleeve 46 is secured in bore 42 in which is fitted 'a axial bore 44 larger" 39. For the' detailsof construction of the trip valve 21 positioned within the cylinders formed by the sleeves 43 'is'atherebetween Adjacent to the upper end of the pistonSl is a reciprocable cup'shaped seal 53 mounted zfor reciprocation 'withthe cylinder wall sleeve 43 creating a lilid'fseal therewith. A second cup shaped seal y54l is attached Vto the'shaft 47 in 'a position axially removed f froni Ithejseal 53. The seal 54 also reciprocably engages th "cylinder wall sleeve 4 3 creating a fluid seal there- The piston 51 and the seals 53 and 54 comprise the piston assembly which reciprocates to effect the valv- 'ing operation. Q,"A spring extends 'between an end ange 5 8 formed in the lower `body 'cap 57 and the lower surface of the piston 51. The jspring" 56 is` preloaded in position thereby urging the piston 51 and the piston assembly axially upward to the vactuated position. Ports 59 are formed in the cylinder fwall sleeve 43 and provide fluid communication between thefupper cylinder 60 which is `bounded by the cylinder wall sleeve 43 and the lower cylinder 62 which is bounded by the cylinder wall sleeve 46. An inlet port 63 con nectsthe line 37 to the cylinder'60 between the seals lss and' s4. j

When the piston assembly is in the reset position shown 'inFig 3 the 'fluid under pressurein the line 37 ows linto 56 is provided in the lower body cap 57 and fthecylinder 60 From the cylinder 60 the fluid under ,pre'ssure flows 'through the ports 59 around the seal 53 fintothe lower cylinder 62. Since the piston 51 has a Vlarger' 'area' than the seal 54 the net resulting uid force created `by the fluid under pressure results in a downwardforce which opposes the spring 56 and holds the shaft 47 in the reset position. An outlet port 64 is providedinthe cylinder 60 above the seal 54 and is connected'to the line 66. When the trip valve 21 is operated by `th`e blank 34 thereby exhausting the line 37 the iiuid pressure within the cylinders 60 and 62 is also exhausted ancl, th'e pi ston assemblymoves to the actuated position v shown in phantom in Fig. `3. When the piston and the :with the rolls'and is positioned to engage the cam fol- :lower rollg73 which is rotatably mounted in the 'block 71.

To insure that the one shot valve is in the resetposition when air is `initially admitted tothe system a reset cylinder 23"with an axially reciprocable piston 76 is provided. Thepiston 76 Ais biased in the downward direction by the spring 77 which extends between the cylinder head 78 and the piston 76. Fluid under pressure is admitted. tothe cylinder below the piston 76 through the line 79 and' `cre ates a force against the piston 76 opposing the action 'of'.'the spring 77 thereby moving the piston to the upper position 'shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The: reset'cylinder shaft 81 is lmounted'for reciprocation with the piston 76v andis formed with a' U-shaped en d l,portion 82 arranged,r oriy the'block 71.'

The surface 86 then engages the eXtension 83 and moves tlie'p/istrn assembly downward against the spring 56 to the reset position.

'Th mai. ffiuid pressure control valve .24is connected to the source 31and is arranged s o its non mal position isolates the source of.pressu.re 31'from the brake andithe clutch control valve 26. The main control valve 24 is 'also connected to the line 66 and is' arranged so Athat iluid pressure in'this line will cause the valve to actuate ,and create communication between the'source of iluid pressure31fand the brake line 87' and the clutch control, valveiline 88. The structure of the main control valve is shown lin detail in my co-pending application 'Serial No. 210,734, filed February 13, 1951, now Patent ',The main, control valve 24 is also provided with an extension 93 connected by linkage to the cam follower 94 which engages the cam 27. The cam which rotates withthe rolls is adapted to operate the follower 94 and "thereby maintain 'the control valve in .the actuated position until one revolution is completed. y

' The clutch control valve 26 is connected to a source of fluid pressure 31a and is arranged so that the normal position of the valve isolates uid pressure. The clutch 'control valve 26 is also connected to the clutch control valve line 88 and is arranged so that fluid pressure within 'this'line causes the valve to be actuated and create uid 'communication between the uid pressure source 31a 4and the vclutch pressure line 89. When the clutch c011- trol valve isin the normal position iluid rcommunication is establishedfbetween the clutch pressure line 89 and 'the exhaust ports 91. vThe details of the clutch control valve 29 are shown'in my co-pending application Serial yNo. 210,734, filed February 13, ,1951, now Patent No. 2,615,355.

'In' operation the valve 84 is 4opened allowing fluid pressure to ow from the uid pressure source 31 through the lines 32 intothe tripvalve 21. From the trip valve 21 the uid pressure'ows through the line 37 and the port 63 into the cylinder 60 within the one shot valve 22. Prior to the'opening of the valve 84 the reset cylinder 23 is exhausted. The spring 77 within the reset cylinder therefore moves the piston 76 and the one shot valve shaft 47 downwardly. Since the reset cylinder assures 4that the one shot valve is in the reset position at the time of the opening Vof the valve 84 the luid` under pressure ow- .ing through the `line 37 enters they port 63and flows `.through the port 59 into-thercylinder 62 thereby continbingi 4to hold the one shot' valve in the reset position. Asthe uid 4flows through the line 79 into the reset cylinder 231 the piston 76 moves upwardly against the spring 77 and disengages the surface 86 on the extension 83.

As the blank 34 is moved across the trip 33 the trip is depressed actuating the trip valve21 thereby isolating the line 32 and creating fluid communication between the line 37 and the exhaust line 39'. Since the fluid pressure within the cylinders 60 and 62 is exhausted through the line 37 the one shot valve moves to the actuated position shown in phantom in Fig. 3. creating fluid communication between the lines 66 and 37.

When the blank 34 is moved toward the roll 11 beyond the trip 33, thereby indicating that the blank is in position, the trip 33 is released and returns to its normal position under the force of the spring loaded trip return 36 thereby re-establishing uid communication between the lines 32 and 37. Since the one shot valve at this time `provides communication between the lines 37 and 66 the iluid pressure flows through the one shot valve up to the main control valve 24. When the one shot valve is in this position the ports 59 are isolated by the seal 53 preventing liuidy ow into the cylinder 62 so the one shot valve remains in the actuated position.

The fluid pressure within the line 66 actuates the main control valve establishing fluid communication between the fluid pressure source 31 and the lines 87 and 88. The fluid pressure within the line 88 causes the brake to release at this time and the fluid pressure within the line 88 causes the clutch control valve to actuate creating fluid communication between the pressure source 31a and the line 89. The uid pressure Within the line 89 causes the clutch to engage starting the rolls.

As the rolls rotate the cam 27 also rotates causing the cam follower to operate the extension 93 thereby holding the main control valve 24 in its actuating position. The cam 28 also rotates with the rolls and is proportioned to operate against the cam follower rolls 73. After the cam 27 has rotated to a point it holds the main control valve 24 in the actuated position. The action of the cam 28 causes the block 71 to move the one shot or sequence valve to the reset position thereby resetting the valve. When the one shot valve 22 is reset by the cam 28 fluid communication is created between the line 37 and the port SSP-causing the one shot valve to remain in the reset position. At the same time fluid communication is established between the line 66 and the exhaust port 67 so the line 66 is exhausted to atmospheric pressure.

When the rolls rotate through one complete .revolution the cam 27 assumes the position shown in Fig. 4 and the main control valve 24 returns to its normal position thereby isolating the uid pressure source 31a from the lines 77 and 78. When the line 87 is isolated from the pressure source the brake again engages stopping the rolls. At the same time the clutch control valve 26 returns to its normal position isolating the uid pressure source 31a from the line 89 thereby creating fluid communication between the line 89 and the exhaust ports 91 causing the clutch to disengage.

In the corresponding electrical embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. 5, the overall operation is identical with that described above. However, an electrical system is utilized to control the operation of the main control valve.

Since in this embodiment the controlling force is electrical instead of iluid under pressure the power enters the system through the power lines 101 through the main power switch 102. A trip switch 103 is mounted for engagement with the blank in the same manner as the trip valve 21 and the trip 33. The trip switch 103 embodies a normally closed contact 104 and a normally open contact 106.

A solenoid operated switch 107 replaces the one shot valve of the fluid embodiment and is provided with a spring 108 to hold the switch in either the opened or closed position; An armature is Joperatively attached to the contact element and is adapted to be actuated by 7the solenoid y'coils 111 and 112. A cam operated holding switch 1113 is actuated by the cam 114 which `is mounted for rotation with the rolls. A cam operated resetfswitch 116 is operated bythe cam 117 also attached for rotation with the rolls.

An electrically operated valve 118 is substituted for the main control valve 24 and is adapted to isolate the uid pressure source 31a from the flines 87a and 88a in its normal position and provide fluid communication therebetween when actuated. The contact `106 is electrically connected to the coil 112 so that 'closing of this contact operates to close the switch 107. The cam operated switch 116 is electrically connected to the `coil 111 so that closing of the switch 116 operates to open the switch 107. The normally closed contact 104 is in series with the switch 107 and yis arranged so that the closing of the contacts when the switch is closed'actuates the valve 118. In operation all of the elements shown in Fig; 5 are initially in the position shown therein. As the blank engages the switch 103 the contact 104 is opened and the contact 106 is closed causing the switch 107 to close. When the blank passes into therolls beyond theswitch 104 this switch returns to its normal position actuating the valve 118. At this time the clutch is engaged and the brake is disengaged as described above in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 causing the rolls to rotate. As the rolls rotate'the cam 114 rotates and thereby causes the switch 113 to close and hold the valve 118 in its actuated position. After this occurs the cam 117 closes the switch 116 thereby energizing the coil 111 opening the switch 107. When the roll has completed one revolution the switch 113 opens thereby breaking the electrical power supply to the valve 118 and causing it to 'return 4to its normal position releasing the clutch and engagingthe brake thereby stopping the roll rotation. When the next blank engages the switch 104 the entire cycle is repeated.

At this time all of the elements of the control system are returned to their initial position and another blank may be fed across the trip 33 into the rolls.

Having completed a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention so that others yskilled in the art may be able to understand and practice the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is not limited by said preferred embodiment but rather is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Control means for a gap mill of the `cyclicone revolution type wherein a pair of cooperating gap rolls are driven through one revolution by a clutch and are stopped at the end of said revolution by a brake comprising a horizontally disposed blank feeding -table mounted on the mill in alignment with the roll gap, the said table having an opening therein spaced horizontally from the roll gap, a movable trip mounted beneath said table at said opening and having its upper end normally projecting upwardly through said opening into the path of a blank being advanced along the feeding table by the operator, spring means normally urging said trip upwardly into said path, said trip being moved downwardly in response to of the blank being advanced along said path, said trip returning to said projecting position in response to said spring means after the trailing edge of the blank has passed beyond the trip, clutch and brake control means operably connected to said trip comprising a trip valve connected to the trip and a sequence valve connected by a conduit to said trip valve, said sequence valve having an inlet and an outlet, a spring-pressed plunger mounted for movement by said spring within the sequence valve to an open position establishing communication between .the inlet and outlet and to a closed position interrupting cornmunication between said inlet and outlet, said sequence valve having a piston therein responsive to uid pressure 4valve to atmosphere through the trip valve and thereafter said trip valve is moved by said trip to direct uid pressure into the sequence valve in its open position and cam -means rotating in timedrelation to the rolls to restore said sequence valve to closed position.

2. Control means for a gap mill of the cyclic one revolution type wherein a pair of cooperating gap rolls are turned throughtone revolution in response to clutch engagement and are stopped at the end of one revolution by clutch disengagement and brake application comprising a horizontally disposed blank feeding table mounted on the mill in alignment with the roll gap, said table having an opening therein spaced horizontally from the roll gap a distance corresponding substantially to the length `of the portion of the blank which is to be rolled, a blank guide mounted on the table to direct advancing blanks longitudinally of the table in alignment with said opening, a trip pivotally mounted beneath the table having its upper end biased upwardly through said opening into the path of a blank being advanced along said table tothe roll gap, said trip mounted for movement downwardly about its pivot in response to engagement with the leading end of a blank being advanced toward the rolls, said trip being maintained in said downwardly disposed position by engagement with the underside of the blank lover. the opening, said trip 'being spring biased upwardly to its projecting position in response to the trailing edge .of the blank passing beyond the trip in its movement toward the roll gap, brake and clutch control means including a rst valve operatively connected to the trip and moved thereby and a second valve connected by a fluid pressure conduit to said first Valve, said second valve having a movable member -therein spring biased to a position establishing fluid ow from said conduit through the valve, said second valve having a piston therein connected to said movable member responsive to iiuid pressure from said conduit to hold said member in. a position interrupting fluid ow .through said second valve, cam: means turning with said rolls, a cam follower connected to said valve member to move said member against the action of said spring to interrupt uid flow through said second valve.

3. Control means for' a gap mill of the cyclic one revolution type wherein a pair of cooperating gap rolls are turned through one revolution in response to clutch engagement and are stopped at the end of lone revolution by clutch disengagement and brake application comprising a horizontally disposed blank feeding table mounted on the mill in alignment with the roll gap, said table having an opening therein spaced horizontally fromthe roll gap a distance corresponding substantially tothe length of the portion of the blank which is to be rolled, blank guide means on the table to direct advancing blanks longitudinally of the table in a path traversing said opening, a trip mounted beneath the table having its upperend biased upwardly through said opening into the path of a blank being advanced along said table to the roll gap, said trip mounted for movement downwardly in response to engagement with the leading end of a blank being advanced toward the rolls, said trip being maintained in said downwardly disposed position by engagement with the underside of the blank over the opening, said trip being kspring biased upwardly to its projecting position in response to the trailing edge of the blank passing beyond the trip in its movement toward the roll gap, brake and clutch means including a sensing control operatively connected to the trip and moved thereby and a sequence control connected to the sensing control, said sequence control having a movable member therein spring biased to a first position, said sequence control having means connected to said movable member responsive to the sensing control to hold said member in a second position, cam means turning with said rolls, a cam follower connected to said sequence control member to move said member against the action of said spring bias to return the member to said second position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,911,549 Catterall May 30, 1933 2,065,820 Mellon Dec. 29, 1936 2,110,257 Bennett Mar. 8, 1938 2,217,332 Criley oct. 8, 1940 2,282,127 Gabbert May 5, 1942 2,389,425 Frost Nov. 2 0, 1945 2,615,355 Friedman Oct. 28, 1952 2,648,234 Lester Aug. 1l, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 310,073 Great Britain Apr. 22, 1929 

